The Big Shamrock

The Boston Celtics agreed to terms with Shaq yesterday, bringing on the 15-time All-Star, “enforcer”, and future Hall of Famer. They also, indirectly, agreed to take on all of the drama that comes with the self-styled Most Dominant Ever.

Is he willing to push his ego and unquenchable thirst for myth-building aside for the good of the franchise, as they chase yet another ring? NBA.com takes a look:

The Celtics, the source said, have told O’Neal that he has to come off the bench next season, and that O’Neal said he could accept a reserve role for the first time in his career. The three-time Finals MVP has not had many suitors this summer that had either the playing time or money to offer him, and O’Neal is running out of places that can give him a chance to compete for a championship as his career draws to a close.

Boston was leery of signing O’Neal because if he became unhappy with his role, that unhappiness could pervade the entire team, as the Celtics believe happened with O’Neal in some of his previous stops in recent seasons. O’Neal started in his one season last year with the Cavaliers, including after his return from a right thumb injury that kept him out of the final five weeks of the regular season.